History

We’ve Been Helping People Protect What’s Important for More Than 85 Years

Over the last 85 years, Nationwide has grown from a small mutual auto insurer owned by policyholders to one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world, with more than $158 billion in statutory assets.

Early growth came from working together with Farm Bureaus that sponsored the company. Nine Farm Bureaus continue to promote Nationwide.

The early years

1925

Murray D. Lincoln, the leader with the longest tenure in the company's history, had a leading role in the company's formation. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation incorporates the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company with the goal of providing quality auto insurance at low rates for farmers in Ohio.

1926

The first policy is sold, and The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is open for business.

1928

With help from locally based sponsoring organizations, Farm Bureau Mutual begins expanding into other states. These include West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Vermont and North Carolina.

1934

The company starts insuring motorists in metropolitan areas and, through the purchase of a fire insurance company, begins writing property insurance policies.

1943

Farm Bureau Mutual operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia.

Becoming Nationwide

1955

From 1943 on, the Farm Bureau Mutual expanded operations until it became clear that they had far outgrown their original goals – and their name. So, with a western expansion that included 20 additional states, the company changed its name to Nationwide Insurance®.

1978

Nationwide completes its international headquarters at One Nationwide Plaza. The 40-story structure is the largest single office building in Central Ohio.

1982

Nationwide acquires Farmland Insurance, now Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance, a 100-year-old company and America's leading farm insurer.

1997

Nationwide Financial® goes public.

2000

With a ground breaking in 1997, the Nationwide Arena opens providing a home to a National Hockey League franchise, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

2007

Nationwide Bank opens to the public.

2009

Nationwide Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (Nationwide), purchased all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Nationwide Financial Services (NFS) it did not already own; NFS becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide and a private company.

Today

We’re still owned by policyholders, but we protect a lot more than just autos owned by Ohio farmers. We’re a Fortune 100 company that offers a full range of insurance and financial services across the country, including car, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, farm, life and commercial insurance, as well as administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services.